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Course introduction

This suite of courses ensures that you’ll have a firm grounding in the three core sciences that make up Sport and Exercise Science – Exercise Physiology, Sport Psychology, and Biomechanics.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to decide whether to specialise or to retain a broad overview of the subject.

This allows you to take a holistic view of the different aspects that contribute to performance in sport and exercise and, with the very wide range of practical skills that you will have developed, be able to apply your knowledge to the benefit of the performer.

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science suite of courses are multidisciplinary with the aim to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to study and analyse the various aspects of sporting performance.

Complete understanding of what contributes to performance means that expertise must be developed in the three core disciplines of Exercise Physiology, Sport Psychology and Biomechanics.

To achieve this, this course has a strong emphasis on the practical application of theoretical knowledge. You’ll gain the independent study habits that will allow you to continue developing your knowledge and skill as a sport and exercise scientist.

This is a full-time course studied over four years. You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and through independent study.

If you have an area of particular interest with the Sport and Exercise Sciences, you will have the opportunity to follow a specific route, such as Sports Coaching, Sports Injuries, Sport Psychology, or Exercise Physiology.

What you study

This course is currently being updated. Students entering into Year 1 from 2016/17 will study the new course content.

Students entering directly in to Year 2 or 3 will study the current content.

Year 1 (for students starting in 2016/17)

Anatomy & Physiology in Sport & Exercise Science

Application of Science to Sport and Exercise

Exercise Training

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Science

Sport, Exercise and Wellbeing

Skill Acquisition

Year 2 (for current students and those applying directly to Year 2 in 2016/17)

The Research Process in Sport & Exercise Science

Introduction to Biomechanics

Exercise Physiology

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Volunteering & Employability

Option modules from

Principles of Coaching

Sports Injury Management

Biochemistry

Year 3 (for current students and those applying directly to Year 3 in 2016/17)

Intermediate Exercise Physiology

Intermediate Sport Psychology

Scientific Communication: Dissertation and Statistics

Intermediate Biomechanics

Option modules from

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Practical Coaching

Clinical Biochemistry

Molecular Genetics

Assessment and Conditioning

Growth Maturation & Exercise

Pharmacology and Pathophysiology

Immunology

Year 4 (for current students)

Project

Option modules from

Analysis of Sports Performance

Health, Lifestyle, and Exercise Behaviour

Molecular Genetics

Applications of Molecular Biology

Scientific Analysis of Human Movement

Muscle Fatigue, Pain, and Damage

Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Around 40 per cent of our graduates move on to postgraduate study in subjects such as Exercise Physiology, Sport Psychology, Health Promotion, Sports Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Sports Performance and Enhancement and PE teacher training.

This course will help you develop a number of skills that will prepare you for positions both in sport and exercise science and in the wider jobs market, for example:

leisure industry

GP referral schemes

schools activity coordinators

sports coaching

sports development

sports therapy

health promotion

further education lecturing

strength and conditioning coaching

Minimum year 1

SQA Higher

Typical Entry Requirement

BBBB including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology at Grade B. Please note SQA Higher PE at Grade B will be accepted in lieu of a Science if studied alongside SQA Higher Maths (Minimum Grade C required).

National 5 B in Maths (excluding Lifeskills), National 5 C in English & a Science subject.

Adjusted Offer Entry Requirement

BBCC including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology at Grade B. Please note SQA Higher PE at Grade B will be accepted in lieu of a Science if studied alongside SQA Higher Maths (Minimum Grade C required).

National 5 B in Maths (excluding Lifeskills), National 5 C in English & a Science subject.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet specific widening participation criteria as outlined in our contextual admissions policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

A Level

BCC including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.

GCSE Grade B/5/6 in Maths, GCSE Grade C/4 in English & a Science subject or Double Award Science at Grades CC/4 also required.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Pre-2017 Grading System

B1, B1, B3, B3 at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology.

B3 at Ordinary Level in Maths, C2 in English & a Science subject.

New Grading System

Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics.

Grade O3 at Ordinary Level in Maths and Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in English and a Science subject.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade B/5/6 in Maths, GCSE Grade C/4 in English & a Science subject or Double Award Science at grades CC/4 also required.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science^ at minimum grade 5.

SQA Advanced Higher

BBC including Biology

A Level

BBB including Biology

Minimum year 3

HND

Pass in a related subject** with Grades AA at SCQF Level 8 in the graded units. Students with HND Sports Coaching & Development of Sport must pass the following units: Psychology of Sports Coaching and Psychology of Sports Performance. Students with an HND in Fitness, Health and Exercise must pass the following units: Mechanics for Health and Fitness Professionals and Psychology of Sports Coaching units.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Elite Athlete Bursary

Are you representing your sport at international level? This includes full, student and Under 19 representation. If so, you may be eligible for an annually reviewed bursary of £1000 per year for four years.